Flush system for specific gravity measuring devices equipped with bubble tubes



July 29, 1952 c. M.- MARQUARDT 2,504,778

FLUSH SYSTEM FOR SPECIFIC GRAVITY MEASURING DEVICES EQUIPPED WITH BUBBLE TUBES Filed Aug. 27. 1948 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 l .D O N f O i R r Jl Vm--m-V f B .2@

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,uly 29, 195 c. M. MARQUARDT FLUSH SYSTEM FOR SPECIFIC GRAVITY MEASURING DEVICES EQUIPPED WITH BUBBLE TUBES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 27, 1948 .JNVENToRz CARL@ M. MARQUARDT,

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July 29, 1952 c. M. MARQUARDT 2,604,778

FLUSHSYSTEM FOR SPECIFIC GRAVITY MEASURING l DEVICES EQUIPPED WITH BUBBLE TUBES Filed Aug. 2'?, 1348 3 sheets-sheet :5

Inventor; ALTON M, MARQUARDT',

Patented July 29, 1952 FLUSH SYSTEM FOR SPECIFIC GRAVITY MEASURING DEVICES EQUIIPED 'WITH BUBBLE TUBES Carlton M. Marquardt, Salt Lake City, Utah, assignor to Combined Metals Reduction Company, Salt Lake City, Utah, a corporation of Utah Application August 27, 1948, Serial No. 46,446

Y 17 Claims. (Cl. 7S- 32) This invention relates to specic gravity measurement devices of the type equipped with bubble tubes which produce differential pressures operative upon a pressure gauge to produce a reading indicative of the specific gravity of a liquid or semi-liquid. It is particularly concerned with a ush system for maintaining the bubble tubes free from sediment and accumulations of scum.

It is common practice in many industries requiring measurements of the specic gravity of liquids or semi-liquids, for example, in the oredressing art which is concerned with the measurement of the speciiic gravity of ore pulps, to utilize paired bubble tubes in connection with a differential pressure gauge as a specific gravity meter. Air is conducted to the respective bubble tubes by means of suitable piping, and is allowed to bubble out the lower, submerged ends of the tubes at a constant rate. The tubes are of different lengths, so that there is a pressure clifferenti-al established between the two in the attaining of uniform air bubble output from the respective tubes. This pressure differential is indicated by a differential pressure gauge, for eX- ample, a manometer, connected to. the airsupply lines by suitable piping. Y

In the operation of these so-called bubble tube meters, especially where the material operated upon- `is a liquid containing solid particles in suspension, as is an ore pulp, silt and other sediments tend to collect within the bubble tubes and at the air-discharging orices thereof, interfering with proper operation and rendering the measurements inaccurate.

It is a primary object oi the present invention to provide a system for periodically flushing the bubble tubes, without removing them from their operative positions within the body of the liquid being operated upon. 1

Other principal objects of the invention are:

To provide for controlling the periodic flushing automatically;

To flush from the inside of the bubble tubes, thus completely removing the deposited silt and other sediments;

To provide for a readily variable flush period;

To guard the differential pressure gauge from surge effects of the flushing action;

To enable the periodic flushing of a plurality of bubble tube arrangements in timed sequence;

To provide a positive acting yet simple, arrangement for flush control; l

To provide a highly effective electronic timing larrangement which is relatively inexpensive to build and install and to keep in good running order.

In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the invention, a flush valve is interposed in a flushing-nuid line which leads into the respective coupled with the first or flush timing mechanism as to commence its timing cycle at the termination of the flush cycle controlled by the said first timing mechanism.

Where a plurality of bubble tube arrangements is employed pursuant to the invention, selector mechanism is provided to establish the desired sequence of operations. Each set of bubble tubes is flushed either immediately after the taking of a measurement therefrom, or at some suitable and convenient later time in the measurement cycle covering the several bubble tube arrangements. fiushing of any particular set of bubble tubes has an opportunity toy subside following the taking of a measurement and during operation with respect to the other sets of bubble tubes, it being understood that all the sets utilize a single differential pressure gauge in common and that the individual sets are connected and disconnected with respect thereto in accordance with a predetermined cyclic sequence.

In some instances, which are now relatively unimportant, a single bubble tube is utilized in connection with a specific gravity meter of the general type described, the pressure differential being established between it and atmosphere.v

Obviously, the ush system of the invention is equally as well adapted to such single bubble` tube arrangements as to the double bubble tube arrangements here discussed in detail.

Further objects and features of the invention Accordingly, the surge eect from the' acca-79s 3 ferred electronic timing arrangement being included;

Fig. 2, a schematic view of the system as adapted for a plurality of installations of paired bubble tubes; and,

Fig. 3, a'vviring diagram of preferred/electrical circuits employed in connection with the system of Fig. 2.

Referring now to the drawings:` The-systeml illustrated in Fig. 1 involves a single-arrangement of double or paired bubble tubes, indicated I IJ and II, respectively, disposed at mutually different depths in a body of liquid or semi-liquid I2 whose specific gravity is to be measured:

The bubble tubes In and I I may be of conventional construction, but are preferably of the improved novel types disclosed in. my copending application Ser. No. 44,145 iiled August 13, 1948, and entitled Bubble Tube for Specific Gravity Meters.

The'respective bubbletubesY Iand II of the bubble-tube arrangement are each provided with a steady flow of air or other suitable gas from a source-of supply ofsame, such asY an air compressor (not shown). As illustrated, the air from the-source'of supply-passes through a constant pressurevalvev I3, which isinterposed Vin a main supplyl line I 4 and Ythrough''respectiveY constant volume" metering valves I5 and- IIS,I which are interposedin" respective branch supply lines I'I and" I8;- The branch/ line I'I yintersects a now conduitfI 9 which 'connects the bubble tube IIJ with one memberofadiferential pressure gauge, here shownn as'the legZIJa ofa'manometer y20,- and thebranchrline-l8A intersects a ow conduit 2I which/connects the bubble tube I I withy the other memberpf theI differential pressuregauge, here the leg 20h of the manometer 20: l

During operation of Vthe sp'ecic gravity-meter constructedasfabove described'values are registeredxby themanometer 20 inaccordance with differential pressures established inthe respective pressure-transmission or flow Vconduits I9and 2 I, the diierence in pressuresarising by reason of thegreater` air'pressure'required for the more deeplyV submerged' bubble tube I0, over that required 'for the 'lessi deeply submerged-bubble tube I I inmaintainingsubstantially equivalent bubbledischarge from the' twotubes. Such'values registered by the .manometer 20 are representa'- tive'of vthe specific ,gravity or'density of the body of liquider Asemi-liquid I 2;

For'this essentially vconventional specific gravity or'liquid density meter arrangement, I provide a systemfor flushing'thesbubble tubes inY order to.constantly maintain'them free of sediment.

WhileI realize that the iiushing of bubble tubesis'nota new conception, I provide by the present invention a trouble-free systemV which automatically maintainsY thebubble tubes at peak operatingefciency regardless-ofthe presencein the fliquid b'ody -of -v quantities l-of silt, sludge, and otherfsediments, or of the formation ofscum,

thatiwould 'otherwise impair the-accuracy of the Furthermore, thisis accomplished with-` 4 during a flushing operation, while preventing air therefrom from escaping into the shorter bubble tube II during a measurement operation. A solenoid-operated ush valve 24 is interposed in the supply line 22 for controlling Iiow of ilushing uid therethrough.

It should be noted that the above arrangement provides for flushing the bubble tubes from the inside, whichhas been found to be a highly satisfactory way of dislodging sediment from the bubble-emitting openings of the tubes, especially where such openings are of the nature employed in the bubble tubes of my afore-referred-to copending application Serial Number 44,145.

In order to protect the differential pressure gauge from surge effects and turbulence of the iiushing operation, shut-off valves are interposed in the. air-supply conduits. As illustrated, solenoid-operated valves 25 and 2E are interposed in the flow conduits I9 and 2 I, respectively, thereby affording complete cut-off of the manometer 20 from the bubble tubesland lII during any flushing operation.

Sequential ushing cycles arel initiated at regular time intervals, and are controlled in duration, by suitable timing means. Other means are arranged to open and close the shut-off valves which control communication of the bubble tubes with the differential pressure gauge, in predetermined timed relationshiprelative to the flushing cycles toeffect the above-mentioned protection for the differential pressure gauge.

A feature of the presently described single bubble tube installation of the invention resides in the fact that the aforementioned timing means is utilized to cause the activation of a second timing means, which is operative to close the shut-off valves atl the commencement of the flushing operation, but whoseftiming period -does not commence until the terminationA of the flushing operation. Accordingly, the shut-off `valvesremain closed` fora predetermined timeperiod following each ushing operation, thereby enabling turbulence of the. body Yof liquid or semiliquid I2 to subside prior tothe subsequent measuring operation.

As illustrated, ratchet wheel. 21, driven by a constant speed-clock motor, or' other suitable means (not shown), acts upon an electric timer switch 28.. in well known manner to open and close, atregular, intervals, an electronic timer circuit controlled by said switch. Thus, this mechanismv may be regarded '.as one preferred form of interval timer.

The particular electronic timer illustrated within the dotted box 29 is ofknown construction. The novelty in the present arrangement resides in the manner inwhich it is tied in with the second electronic timer described'hereinafter. ItA should be noted that the iirst timer acts as a timingcontrol for the flush valve operating and control means, whileithe-second timer acts as a timing control for-thev shut-offva-lve operating and control means.

Considering now briefly the structure' and voperation of the rst timerV 29': transformer secondary 30 is connected in phase with transformer secondary 3|, whichis connected in the anode circuit of triode electronic'tube 32 yin series arrangement with the coil' 34a' of double pole, single-throw relay34; Accordingly, when the interval timer'switch 28` isclosed, transformer secondary 30 is shorted out so that no voltage is applied to the grid of'triode- 32. The anode of said tricde then-passes current, and relay vcoil 34a ls energized, whereby the respective sets of contacts 34h and 34e are maintained open.

When interval timer switch 28 is opened by movement of the ratchet wheel 21, transformer secondary 30 applies a potential across the grid of triode 32. Since this potential is in phase with transformer secondary 3|, the grid is made positive each time the anode .is made positive, it being understood that alternating currentis applied across the power supply leads designated 33. Thusr triode 32 continues to conduct anode current, relay coil 34a remains energized,

and the sets of relay contacts 34h and 34o re main open even though interval timer switch 28 has been thrown open.

Connected in the grid circuit of the triode 32, in the manner illustrated, is a capacitor 35 and respective resistors 36 and 31. The resistor 36 is xed, and the resistor 31 is variable. These constitute an adjustable timing assembly.

When the switch 28 is open, as aforementioned, the capacitor 35 is charged by means of grid rectification, to a voltage substantially equal to the peak voltage across transformer secondary 30. The charge on the capacitor is such that the grid end thereof is negative relative to the cathode of the triode 32. Accord ingly, when switch 28 is closed and transformer secondary 3G snorted out, there is placed, in effect, a high negative voltage or bias on the grid of triode 32, causing the cessation of anode current flow. Thus, relay 34 is de-energized, causing contacts 34h and 34e to close. This high negative charge can be removed from the grid only by dissipation through the resistors 3S and 31, which takes an amount of time dependent upon the total amount of resistance in the circuit. The Xed resistance 36 establishes a set minimum time period, which may be increased as desired by an appropriate setting of variable resistance 31. Y

The set of relay contacts 34h controls solenoid 24a of flush valve 24, the arrangement being such that when relay coil 34a is de-energized, such contacts are closed, thereby opening the flush valve 24 and permitting ushing fluid to iiow into the respective bubble tubes. When relay coil 34a is energized, said contacts are open, solenoid 24a de-energized, and ush valve 24 closed, thereby stopping the flow of ushing fluid. Thus, the iiush valve opera-tingl means in this instance is solenoid 24al and the control means therefore comprises one of the two switches component to relay 34.

n the operation of the system, immediately after the closing of timer switch 28 and within the time interval between the closing and the next opening thereof, the flushing operation ensues for a time period determined in length by the set minimum resistance 36 plus any desired increment of resistance added by variable resistance 31.

The second timer, activated under the control of the rst timer 29, is shown enclosed in the dotted box 4B. Its activation is controlledV by the set of relay contacts or relay switch 34e. Thus, it might be said that the relay 34 is common to both the rst and second timers.

y The second timer 40 is essentially similar to the first. It comprises a triode electronic tube 4|, whose anode circuit is so' connected to the transformer secondary 3| that the voltage supplied therefrom is in phase with that supplied the anode circuit of triode 32. The coil 43a of in series with the anode of triode 4I.

As illustrated, the grid circuit of triode 4| comprises a capacitor 44, a fixed minimum re- ,sistanee 45, and a Variable resistance 46, which together constitute an Aadjustable timing assembly for this second timer.

When the relay contacts 34o are open, which is the case when the flush .valve 24 is closed during aV measurement operation, no voltage is applied to the grid of triode 4| by the transvformer secondary 41. Accordingly, there is no anode current flowing, and relay contacts 43h 'are closed. The second timer is activated.

Relay 43 controls the solenoid of shut-off valves 25 and 26, and the arrangement is such that, when contacts 43h are closed by reason of relay coil 43a being energized, the solenoids 25a and 26a of the respective shut-off valves are energized, thereby opening such shut-o" valves and establishing communication between l the respective flow conduits I9 and 2| and the respective manometer legs 20aA and 20h. This is the open condition required for the above-mentioned measurement operation.

During a measurement operation when interval timer switch 28 and the set of relay contacts 34e are open, transformer 3|) being snorted out, timer Se is inactive. When .switch 28 closes, timer 29 is activated and, since voltage from capacitor 35 immediately commences to dissipate within resistances 3S and 31, the active timing cycle commences immediately.

As aforestated, during the period of inactivity of timer 29, no voltage from transformer secondary 41 is applied to the grid of triode 4|.

When timer 25 is active, relay contacts 34a are closed, thus applying voltage from transformer secondary 41 to the grid of triode 4|. As illustrated, transformer secondary 41 is connected in such a manner that its voltage is in phase opposition to the anode voltage supplied by transformer secondary 3| to the anode of triode 4|. Since this transformer 41 voltage is in phase opposition to the anode voltage supplied by transformer secondary 3|, the anode of triode 4| ceases to pass current and relay coil 43a is cle-energized, thereby opening relay contacts 43h and cle-energizing the operating solenoids 25a and 26d of the respective shut-ofi valves, whereby such valves close.

At the same time, capacitor 44 is charged to substantially the peak voltage of transformer secondary 41, by grid rectification, with the grid end thereof negative relative to the cathode of triode 4|. So long as contacts 34e remain closed. that is, so long as timer 29 is active, capacitor 44 will remain fully charged even though second timer 44 has been activated by the closing of relay contacts 340. However, when timer 29 completes its active timing cycle, as described above, contacts 34e open, and timer 45 commences its active timing cycle.

The commencement by the second timer 440i its timing cycle, following the preliminary de-energization of relay. coil 43a during the active timing cycle of the rst timer 29, is brought about by the fact that the negative charge on capacitor 44 holds the grid of triode 4| negative with respect to its cathode. This charge can only be dissipated through'resistances 45 and 4S.

When the charge on capacitor 44 has been dissipated in a manner similar to that explained above in connection with timer 29, the triode 4| again passes anode current, energizing relay coil Maand closing-1 contacts 43h; whereby thesolenoid shut-off valves Sand. V26'. are opened. again es.- tablishing communication between the ,flowz conduits --l S'and 2-l andthe Tmanometer .legs '2R11f and.Y

20h; respectively.-

Thus,-it is seen that thef second-timer 40 Scannot commence its timing.cyclefas-'distinguished frornitsv operative cycle, until the. Arstwtirner ,29 has` completed its timing cycle;

Itvshould be notedathat chang-ingthe ilush period-orf active timing period` of: the v'irst Atimer ZSbyadjusting variable resistor 3Lfdcesl notV in c any'wayaifect the duration-of the `active timing cycle of timer lifalsathat theset of relay con..

trols.l which in effect form onerof the twoswitches componentto relay 34, provides activatingmeans for the timing control represented-bythesecond timer- 48.21

A manually operable switch` 48 -isv provided, as.v illustrated, for function as-avlockoutv switch. to prevent-the-ushing cyclefromtakingplace when repairs-oradjustrnents are being made.l

Al-second manually operableswitch 9', prefer-v ably "of push-button, normally -closedf type,-as il'- lustrated, permitsV the -system -to lbe puty through the flushing cycle at will, regardless of the yautomatic operable switch 28. The switch dlispreferably ofthe type indicated so that an operator cannot hold the switch down and produce an excessively long flush cycle. With this-type of switch, the flush cycle takes place only after pressure on the -push-button isreleased.

It has been found desirable inmany instances to utilizev a single differential pressure-gauge with several sets or arrangements of bubble tubes, the measurement from theseveral sets being taken independently and sequentially. With such a system, flushing of the respective sets of ybubble tubes follows'the respective measurement operations in some desired sequential arrangement.

In' the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2,'several sets of paired bubble tubes have their respective component tubes connected by respective pressure-transmission or ow conduits tomanifolds 50 and 5|, such manifolds leading tothe respective legs52a and 52h oa manometer 52;.'

For the sake of convenienceonlyone set of bubbleV tubes is actually shown, the` bubblev tubes thereof being indicated53 and 54;. These bubble tubes'communicate with themanifoldsll andi i, respectively, by means of respective flow conduits 55 andY 56, and aresuppliedwith. ilush fluid through a flow line 51, and the respective branches thereof, 51a .and 51h', under the; control of Va solenoid-operated flush. valve-58.;

The otherV sets of bubble tubes (not illustrated) connect with respective sets ofowiconduits sim'- ilar to 55 and 58..'V Twosuch setsofowconduits are indicated at59 and.6,:and at16| and 62, respectively, these. sets serving respective'sets of bubble tubes corresponding to .thatv which isv illus-` trated. Any numberv of. sets' may -be.incorporated in the system in the same manner,.though the systemshown,y see particularly thewiring. diagram of'Fig.- 3, has foursets. Such other sets. ofpbubble tubes are provided-.With respectiveaflushingefluid fiowlines (not illustrated) correspondingftothat indicated 5l, eachcontrolled byzasolenoid-operated flush valve corresponding. tothat indicated atA 58.

As in the case of the previously. describedflush# ing system fora single` pair of bubblegtubesnthe ow conduits connecting the.;respectiv e bubbletubes of each set with the respectivelegsof the manometer are provided with fsolenoidroperatedl.

shut-off valves. zand,v 66., respectively; and'. the 1 flow..,conduits 6l and'62fflwith 'shut-off valvesz'l and; G8 respectively` Likewise,.as in the lcasefofl the. previously'de'-,

scribed: embodiment, theV present multiple sys-t temhas the respective flowiconduitsthereof supplied with air through a:. common .supply line.:

As illustrated, a main air or'other suitableV gas supply line, 69 feeds` airyor other suitable.l gas under `pressure .to manifold. 'I0 zthrough, constant- Theflow .conduits 55'?and56 pressure valve 1|. are supplied with air. by way of. intermediatesupply line 13 'andrespectivebranches thereof: :13a and 73h; and .the iloW conduitsll and SZCarei suppliedwith air by way of intermediate supplyv line 14 andrespectivebranches'thereof,. '14a and" 14h. Constant volume metering :valves 'l'5zand 16 :control the flowiof'air throughthe respective branchlines 12a and 12b; similar. vvalves 11 and 18 control'the ow of air throughthe respective branchlines. '13d and 73h; and similar Va1v'es. 19.

and 80 control the flow of 'air through-the respec-z tive branch lines '14a and lill?.y Respective signal lights 8 l', 82;;'83 andf84 indicate which set: of bubble ,I tubes` is currently. operating :in connectiony with the manometer: 52'.

Thetiming arrangement utilized for controlling the sequential flushing ofthe, plurality ofbubble tube sets is not ldetailed in Fig, 2,'but islrather indicated by an appropriately labeled box.- Such timing arrangement is;however,-illustratedin del tail'schematically in `.E'ig. 3.v

In Fig. 3 timing-means corresponding to'those illustrated in Fig.. 1, are shown enclosedby dash lines-85. For the vpresent multiple embodimentf. the rst timer-shown Aenclosed Awi-thin 4dash llines. BB-is the essential part of the electronicv timing .Y

means 85. The *second-timer,v shown enclosed within dash lines81, is providedmerely. to make. it possible to operate any, sin-glesetof bubble tubes in al manner similar -totheiirst described emv bodiment shoulditbe so..desiredat, any time. In

such event the multiplesystem becomes,- in effect,v a single `system similar` tor the embodiment rstI described. Accordingly, A interposed. between theV two timers 86 and-.lisa selector switch88, which may beset to any. one` of several numbered positions corresponding yto the respectivesets of bubble-tubes involved inthemultiple arrangement, but which will normally beset toY ,automaticf at which position the secondtimer 81 is rendered inoperative.

In thev illustratedV instance, the arm 88a of selector switchq88'is'. set at 4,automatic, so that the system is arranged formultipleoperation.

The operative cycles of the respective sets of bubbleV tubes are controlled by a suitable sequential actuator,such as the"Electronik'strip chart recorder manufactured by the Brown Instrument Co;,- and descriptively referred-to Yin its- Catalogue No.15'10-issued in the-year-194'6; I As illustrated, within'the recorder instrument is a rotary selector switch 90,-;which comprises-twolrotary'sector switches aV and g'mechanically ,linked vtogether for synchronousoperation.. Each of the said sector switchesglar and4 90b is. equipped with anumber ofpisectors corresponding, to' the num-,-

ber' of individual. sets of` bubble. tubes involved inthe system; the numberfhere being four.

Theseveralsectors of the rotary switch` 90a' are f electrically connected to one pole;.indicated-'A,lof

aeoavve lrespective sets of shut-off valves, while the poles C of the respective relays control respective iiush valves.

In operation, when the sweep contacts of sector switches 90a and 98h make with respective sector contacts No. 1, relay 9| is energized, thereby closing the'contacts of all three poles A, B and C, thereof. YThe arrangement is such that Vwhen the contacts of relay pole B are closed, solenoids 63a and Ma of shut-oli valves 63 and E4 are energized to hold open the respective shut-'oir "valves, thereby establishing pressure communication '.between bubble tubes 53 and 54 and manometer legs 52a and 52D, respectively, through ilow conduits 55 and 56. 1

Since the operation of this multiple system of the inventioniis sequential with respect to the several sets of bubble tubes, the'arrangement is such that .a previously operated set of bubble tubes is flushed at the same time thatthe currently operated set is carrying out a measurement operation. In the illustrated instance the arrangement is such that the sequence is a direct one, that is to say, that the set of bubble tubes whose measurement operation immediately preceded the particular set in operation at any given period is flushed during the operation of that particular set.

Thus, the flush valve associated with No. 4 set of bubble tubes (not illustrated, but indicated by F4) has its solenoid electrically connected in circuit with the contacts of relay Dole 9 I C.V Accordingly, during the open period of shut-ofi valves 63 and 54, flush valve F4 will open, through action of timer 8. vThis means that during a measurement operation by No. 1 set of bubble tubes, No. 4 set of bubble tubes will be flushed, and that, during suchfiushing of said No. 4 set, the shut-ofi valves thereof (indicated S4 in Fig. 3) will be closed, thereby protecting the manometer 52 from the flush turbulence. I

When recorder switch 9i) moves Yits respective sweep contacts to` make position with No. 2 sector contacts thereof, the above ydescribed operation is repeated with respect to No. 2 set of bubble tubes, that is to say, shut-od valves B and 55 of said No. 2 set are held open, aording a measurement operation with respect to that set or bubble tubes, while Jiush valve 58 of No. l set is opened by action of timer 86 for the flushing of that set of bubble tubes. v v

Thus, the operative cycle is carried on in sequence through the several sets of bubble tubes under the general time control oi recorder switch Sie, timer 85 determining the time lengths of each rlushin'g period. lt should be noted that, during this automatic operation, the secondtiiner 3l is cut out o1" the system by means of' selector switch 88. Its function is taken care oi by the recorder switch eil, whose rotary sector switches insure the opening of only those shut-oir valves corresponding to the particular set of bubble tubes undergoing a measurement operation at any given time.

lViechanically ganged with the selector switch 88 are selector switches 95, 96, 91, 9S and 99, which cut out of the circuit all but the particular set of bubble tubes, either No. 1, 2, 3 or 4, desired for single operation in the manner of the previously described embodiment, in the event that multiple operation is not desired. The turning of sweepv contact arm 38a from automaticVto the particular bubble set desired, places the system in condition for such single operation.

It should be noted that in such single operation with respect to any one of the several sets of bubble tubes, the flushing cycle is carried out Aperiodically with respect to only that one set of bubble tubes which is operating, the action corresponding in every particular to that of the embodiment rst described.

While it is preferred to use ordinary vacuum electronic triode tubes in the timer circuits, as illustrated, thyratron tubes may be employed if desired, in a manner well known tc the art.

It should be noted that, by connecting the flushing-fluid supply piping with the pressurecommunicating piping adjacent connection of the latter with the bubble tubes, such bubble tubes are most effectively and forcefully flushed from the inside.

Whereas this invention is here illustrated and described with respect to certain preferred forms thereof, it should be understood that various changes may be made in such forms and various other forms may be constructed on the basis of the teachings herein by those skilled in the art without going beyond the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A flush system for speciiic gravity measuring devices equipped with bubble tubes, bubble-forming fluid supply piping, and a differential pressure gauge which is operatively connected with said bubble tubes by pressure-communicating piping, said system comprising piping arranged for the supply or" Vflushing iuid to said bubble tubes; valve means interposed in said ilush piping; shut-off valve means interposed in said pressure-communicating piping; operating means for said ush valve means; control means for said flush valve operating means; a timing control for said control means; an interval timer for activating said timing control; operating means for said shut-on" valve means; control means for said shut-ori valve operating means; a timing control for the last-named control means; and activating means for the last-named timing control, said activating means being operatively connected with the control means for said ilush valve operating means.

2. The combination recited in claim 1, wherein the operating means for the ilush valve and the shut-off valves are respective Solenoids; the control means for both the ush and the shut-off valve operating means are respective electrical relays; the timing controls for both the control means are respective electronic timer circuits in which the said electrical relays are respectively connected; the interval timer includes a timing switch arranged to periodically open and close the electronic timer circuit associated with the ush valve; and the activating means for the shut-off valve timing control is an electrical switch constituting part of the flush valve control the. respective electronic; timer .circuits teach/.in-

clude a triode electronic tube; 4and:.a:'timing .assembly .connected .in the grid .circuit vof said tube: constructed .and arranged tocontrol :nega- I"ti-velfgrid' biastover..atpredeterminedi time period,

ithe. electrical relays being connected in the anode 'circuitsof 'ther respective` tubes,` and the' power :source: for fthe grid circuity 'oftheshut-oi' valve -control 'tube beingarranged toapply voltagein rz'phasefoppositionizto that supplied by ther-power `Vsourceiorrthe anode circuit'of that tube.

4. The'combination' recited in claim 3, wherein thepower; source =for :the-anode .circuit of 'the :hush valve -control itube -isarranged to supply -r voltage-in phasewiththe'voltage supplied by the :j power source -for the gridfcircuitsof both tubes. C5. :The vcombination recitedin claim;4,fwherein the'vfpower lsource riorV the 4anode-circuit of rthe flush valve control tube is oneA transformer-secondary, the 'power source for :the f anode circuit -of theshut-ofr valve.y control tube iis- .afsecond rtransformer secondaryA arranged yto supply voltage in phase opposition-to the Voltage supplied '.by -saidonetransformerv'secondary, and "the power-:source for .the g-rid circuits 'of Ibothtubes',

nis .a. third .transformer secondary Y.arranged `to :supply-voltage .in phase with the voltage supr-plied' bysaid one transformer secondary.

6. The combination recited in claim 5, wherein -eachtlming assembly comprises a capacitoriandl there :are a fpluralityrof :individual sets of 'bubble `tubes,` and. a :singleldiilerential pressuregauge, )the several sets ofbubble tubes vbeing equppedwith respective setsnipressureecommunicating piping -f which lead :into commonfmanifolds communicatfzlingfwithithe said diierential pressuregauge,;and "fbeinggaequipped; further, '.with: respectivef .piping arrangements foritlie supplygofzl'iushinguid vto :the bubble. .tubes4 of saidrsets; lwherein :respective valvermeans areinterposedin= saidiushing-'iluid piping arrangements, .respective=setsxofishuteoi r "yalvemeans arezinterposed in saidfsets ,cipresl'.Sureecommumcatingipiping; andzindividu'al oper- 'u'ating'means are provided'forthe respective flush- .':ingf-.iiuid valve. means and thefrespective .shut-oir `-Nalve means; whereintbeinterval itimerris `a sexs-.quen'tiall actuator ;l and vwherein `selector relays A,.and'gangecl "selector switches are providedfvfor -v 'controlling valve operation'relative to the' respective sets of bubble tubes, the said gangedfselector :switches including .afselector#switchVv associated zfwith :the said sequential actuatonrand; a= Iselector -fswitch interposed l'setw-een -the lrespective .timing controlsywhereby .the system. may be operated in :,fmultip-le automatically, or -singly'iwith respectzto -fatselectedfone of" t-he :said pluralityoffsets-ofl :bubble tubes.

'.flOnA lushisystenrfor,speciiicfgravityr measur- 1ir'1g-fdevices-fequipped with 1a .pluralitywofindi-- "'vidu'al; -setsof bubble ztubesy. a @singles differential Yfpressure gauge, `vrespective pressure-communicat- :fingqpiping arrangements cQnneCting-tliesaidsets :of-bubble tubes with r.the saidI diilferentiallI pressure .jzgauga' :and respective piping-arrangementsfor the supply of air or other suitable :gas to fthe bub- .jzble-tubesfof'saidsets, said systemfcomprising respective piping-arrangements; f or: thecsupply :.of flu'shinggiiuid toithe' fbnbbleaztubes: of ,zsaid sets; respective `.valve-.means .interposed rin saidifflush- -ing-uid piping arrangements; respectivesetsof shut-on valve means interposedjni'saidtpressure .1 communicating piping arrangements;individual operating lmeansl rior the 'respectiveushingffluid Valve .fmeans :and z the :respective .-shutpii` valve means control means 'f or -saidzflush valver operating means; va timing :control ,for said-.control means; and a sequential actuator-Withfwhich'said .flush Valve f controlzmeans,V said yrespective; :flush `valve -operatingfmeans,"and-:said respectiveshut- 01T valve YoperatingV means -are i operatively aconnected for sequential operation with respect-to ,the severalffsetsof` billable tubes with -which they correspond.

y 1.1. A-specic gravity 'measuring Vsystem,A comprising aypluralityoffv sets of-.bubble til-besta manifolds; respective pressure communicating single diierential;pressurer gaugeihaving, iintake pipingA arrangementsconnecting the xbubble tubes .of said sets -with the-.respective Iintake manifolds; respective; pipingzzarrangementsfor :the

supply; of; air; or othersuitable gas Vto the lbubble tubes v.of :1 said 1 sets; 'respective 1 piping .arrangements for the supply of flushing luidlto `the bubble tubes of said sets; .respective'valvefmeans interposed in said 'flushing-fluid piping. arrangements; respective setsofshut-off yalvemeans interposed in said. pressure-communicating:piping arrangements; individual operating means for the respective' flushing-fluid Ival-vemeansand the respective -shut-oi val-ve means; control means for-said vflush valve operating meansya timing controll for 'said controlemeans; #andi-a sequential actuatorwith. which` said flush-#valve control means, saidrespectiveiiush `valve-operating means, and said respectivelshut-of valve operating means are operatively connected for sequential operation with Arespect' to the several 'sets of'bubble tubes'with--which theyrcorrespond.

l2. The 'combination 'recited AVin Claim 1, wherein the; flushing-"-fluid `piping intersects and discharges tinto the lpressure#communicating piping adjacent connection'of thelatterwith said bubble tubes.

13. The combination 'recited 'in' Claim '10, wherein the iiushing-iiuidpiping intersects and discharges into the pressurefcommunicating piping adjacent connectionof the latterzwith' -said bubble tubes.

14. The combination recited in Claim 11, wherein; the 'flushing-uid piping-intersects and discharges Vinto the pressure-communicating piping adjacent connection` of the latter'withV said bubble tubes.

1'5. A flush system for specicgravity measur- Iing'devices equipped with bubble tubes, air-supply' piping, land a diierential pressure 'gauge which is operatively connected with said bubble tubes by pressure-communicating piping, said system comprising piping arranged for the supply of ushing fluid to vsaid bubble tubes; Vvalve means interposed v.in' said flush:` piping; shut-01T valvemeans interposed in said pressure-communicating ipiping; timing means arranged to Aopenand close said ilush valve means at predetermined time intervals to establish definite flushing cycles for :said bubble tubes; and a second Ytiming means operatively interconnected with the virst timing ymeans anclarranged -to open and close said shut-off valve meansin'prevdetermined timedyrelationship relative lto-said 13 flushing cycles so as to protect the said differential pressure gauge from flushing turbulence.

16. A flush system for a specific gravity measuring device equipped with at least one bubble tube, air-supply piping, and a differential pressure gauge which is operatively connected with said bubble tube by pressure-communicating piping, said system comprising piping arranged for the supply of flushing iiuid to said bubble tube; valve means interposed in said flush piping; timing means arranged to open and close said flush valve means at predetermined time intervals to establish denite flushing cycles for said bubble tube; valve means interposed in said pressure-communicating piping for cutting off flow communication between said bubble tube and said pressure gauge; and timing means arranged to open and close the last-named valve means at predetermined time intervals, the lastnamed timing means being operatively correlated with the first-named.

17. A flush system for specific gravity measuring devices equipped with at least one bubble tube, bubble-forming fluid supply piping, and a differential pressure gauge which is operatively connected with said bubble tube by pressure- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,819,655 Mohr Aug. 18, 1931 1,931,274 Thomas Oct. 17, 1933 2,427,690 Peterson Sept. 2-3, 1947 2,509,834 More May 30, 1950 

